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Here’s the goal: install Windows Vista RC1 on a crappy old Dell Dimension 4300. The tools: the Windows Vista RC1 DVD, an Ubuntu Live CD… yeah, that’s pretty much it.

The scenario: this computer is downstairs in my basement, and I use it as a mini home server. Currently, I use Ubuntu 6.06 on it, and it works quite well. It’s connected to my network using an old D-Link WiFi card. I want to install Windows Vista on its own partition, and continue to use Ubuntu for the server.

I’m going to be writing live as I work, and I’ll post the whole thing once I’m done. Wish me luck everyone!

Click "more" to read about the journey. (more...)

OK, I know this is wrong… but I can’t help myself.

When you install a clean copy of Windows XP, the first time you start it up, it takes you through a tour and configuration wizard. During that tour (if it correctly recognized your audio card… not a given ) it plays some awesome New Age music. I mean seriously, sometimes I prolong the setup just to listen to it… and I’m not the only one who does that.

To give you an example of what I mean: one of Dan’s coworkers found the audio file hidden in their system folder (for the curious: C:\WINDOWS\System32\oobe\title.wma), and apparently, the whole office was just listening to it . The song, aptly named "Windows Welcome music," actually runs for a full 5:24, and has some interesting Egyptian-sounding choral singing near the end of it. I booted up my Windows laptop, and sent it over to my Mac. I’m listening to it now, for the second time. I feel so dirty. Click more to take a listen for yourself. (more...)

Yesterday my brother brought home an official Microsoft DVD with windows Vista Beta 2 on it. I installed it (on a new partition of course) right before I went to bed, and when I woke up in the morning, it worked perfectly. I think I am going to overwrite my WindowsXP installation with Vista, these may be my last words, but here goes nothin!

You have got to be fucking kidding me. There’s a difference between not being perfect on the ACID test and being… well… IE. This is not even in the same ball park. Not even the same sport. Not even the same planet

So Firefox only scored a 1500 on its SAT. IE is still wearing a helmet and drooling on itself as it takes the short bus back to Redmond. Seriously just… just don’t even go there. IE is the biggest frustration on the planet right now to anyone who actually works in this industry.

binary paladin on Slashdot

Remember how I got a copy of Microsoft Office 2007 Beta 2 for free to review? Well, same thing with Windows Vista, the next version of Windows!

I’m a little behind on my reviewing, but I’m taking as many pictures as possible. Right now, my test system is pending a graphics card upgrade, so the early shots won’t show the new Aero Glass interface, but the later ones will as soon as we get it. So, I’m going to wait awhile before I post the review. I’ll do both of them at once.

But while I’m at it, if there are any specific features you want me to cover, let me know!